HELMERCRAZY at Black Fashion Week Montreal 2014

Montreal designer, Helmer Joseph, is well-known for the elegance of his creations, and the HELMERCRAZY collection presented at Montreal’s Black Fashion week was no exception. The ethereal location, Eglise Saint Jean-Baptiste, might have been chosen just for Helmer’s pieces. The models appeared to be floating down the runway, which seemed totally appropriate given the fabrics—and the crucifix in the background.

Helmer loves subtlety. I imagine he’s a huge fan of inside jokes and secret glances exchanged by old couples and besties. The colors he chose were rich and dark, but carefully layered so they never looked heavy. Helmer blends elegance and edginess so well because of his attention to detail. It could have been the feathered or jewel-studded nylons, his choice of patterns, the embroidered vest, or the contrasting fabrics that made it feel like I was attending a marriage between steampunk and classic opulence.

As if that wasn’t enough, the HELMERCRAZY collection was not only visually stunning, there was a sound element to it all. As some of the models glided down the runway, they were walking to the drum of their own beat—literally. They had garments and shoes that echoed the sound of drums, seashell shakers, and coins clanking in a bag with every step.

HELMERCRAZY understands the beat of a woman, whether it’s the rhythm of her heart or her walk. This collection could only have come from a designer who has honed his skills and is capable of turning his signature style into a signature experience. Helmer Joseph’s HELMERCRAZY set the tone for Black Fashion Week Montreal 2014. He gets a thumbs up for being among Montreal’s finest.

Looked like a fun show. I love the line, “I imagine he’s a huge fan of inside jokes and secret glances exchanged by old couples and besties”

Cookie Leavitt

JOSEPH HELMER IS A THIEF. My husband and I recently spent a long weekend in Montreal, one of our favorite cities. We walked by Boutique Helmer and decided to go in. My husband liked a jacket that was hanging on a mannequin, but it was to big. Joseph Helmer said he would make one in my husband’s size, and ship it to our house in Los Angeles for $1000. Helmer took no measurements, assuring us he didn’t need to. The jacket arrived, and it was to small. Helmer then made my husband another jacket, and again didn’t accept our offer for measurements. The second jacket arrived, still to small. My husband took the jackets to a famous Hollywood tailor who laughed at the shoddy craftsmanship and said they were unfixable. We have requested a refund several times, but Helmer refuses to communicate or give my husband his money back. We sent the jackets back to Helmer on December 4th, and still he refuses to refund any money. He has stolen $1000 from us. This man is of low character, he is a thief.